PARKING in Liverpool city centre will be free from December 1 right up to Christmas Eve.

The move is intended to boost the number of shoppers coming into the city to shop over the festive period.

The council said parking would be free from 3pm until midnight every weekday, with a charge of just £1 for three hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

The concession applies to both on-street parking and the council’s own car parks.

Council leader Cllr Joe Anderson said: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to come into the city centre this Christmas.

“It is going to be an extra special festive season with a great programme of events planned, including an ice rink, a big Christmas market and exciting street entertainment.

“Add to that our superb shops and it is clear Liverpool is the best place to be at Christmas.

“But we want to make life as easy as possible for those coming into the city, so we are making parking free from 3pm throughout December so people can take advantage of it to do their Christmas shopping.

“We have worked with shops, restaurants and other businesses in the city centre on this proposal and they were very keen that we introduce it.”

Last Christmas, the previous Liberal Democrat administration offered free parking after 3pm from December 14 up to Christmas Eve.

Ed Oliver, chairman of the City Central Business Improvement District (Bid), added: “Free parking in the run-up to Christmas is something our retail members have been calling for for years because it has a huge influence on where people decide to shop at what is the busiest and most competitive time of the year. I am delighted the council has listened and its offer is a fantastically generous one.

“This is the type of business-friendly attitude Liverpool needs to build on and we look forward to working together on making the city centre an even more desirable place to visit, shop and invest.”

Liverpool Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jack Stopforth added: “With times hard for many retailers and shoppers alike, this can only be a boost for the local economy.”